Gel/cure unit

Abstract

Described is a gel/cure unit which utilizes separate temperature-control zones. Each zone includes a plurality of quartz infrared lamps which administer heat to a coated substrate which passes through the unit on rollers. One infrared sensor is provided in each zone to remotely detect the temperature surface of the coated substrate. Each zone also has a temperature controller, into which a zone temperature setting may be made. If the zone temperature reading is lower than the zone temperature setting, the intensity of the infrared lamps is increased until that zone meets the set temperature. If the reading is higher, the temperature is decreased until the set temperature is reached. An air-control system for the unit is also disclosed. The air is introduced from top to bottom through the unit. This is done using a pair of induction blowers located on top of the unit and an exhaust blower which is located at the bottom of the unit.

1 . A unit for heat-treating matter, said matter being deposited on a substrate, said unit comprising: 
 a first infrared lamp located in a first zone;    a first infrared detection device aimed at a surface of said substrate when said substrate is in said first zone, said first infrared detection device adapted to receive infrared light from said substrate to make a first temperature reading; and    a temperature control system adapted to compare said first temperature reading to a first temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to increase the intensity of said first infrared lamp if said first temperature reading is lower than said first temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to decrease the intensity of said first infrared lamp if said first temperature reading is higher than said first temperature setting.    
   
   
       2 . The unit of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a second infrared lamp located in a second zone;    a second infrared detection device aimed at said substrate when said substrate is in said second zone, said first second infrared detection device adapted to receive infrared light from said substrate to make a second temperature reading; and    said temperature control system adapted to compare said second temperature reading to a second temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to increase the intensity of said second infrared lamp if said second temperature reading is lower than said second temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to decrease the intensity of said second infrared lamp if said second temperature reading is higher than said second temperature setting.    
   
   
       3 . The unit of  claim 2  comprising: 
 a conveying arrangement for supporting said substrate through said unit into said first zone and then into said second zone.    
   
   
       4 . The unit of  claim 3  wherein said conveying arrangement comprises rollers.  
   
   
       5 . The unit of  claim 2  wherein said temperature control system comprises: 
 a first subsystem adapted to maintain the temperature in said first zone; and    a second subsystem adapted to maintain the temperature in said second zone.    
   
   
       6 . The unit of  claim 5  wherein said first subsystem comprises: 
 a first temperature controller which is the component of said temperature control system which compares said first temperature reading to a first temperature setting, said first controller further adapted to send a first signal to a first power-control relay, said first power-control relay adapted to increase or decrease power to said first lamp depending on said first signal.    
   
   
       7 . The unit of  claim 6  wherein said second subsystem comprises: 
 a second temperature controller which is the component of said temperature control system which compares said second temperature reading to a second temperature setting, said second controller further adapted to send a second signal to a second power-control relay, said second power-control relay adapted to increase or decrease power to said second lamp depending on said second signal.    
   
   
       8 . The unit of  claim 7  wherein said first and second power-control relays are silicone-controlled relays.  
   
   
       9 . The unit of  claim 7  wherein said first and second temperature controllers include interfacing equipment which enables the user to input said first and second temperature settings, respectively.  
   
   
       10 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein said first and second infrared lamps are quartz lamps.  
   
   
       11 . The unit of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a first induction blower for forcibly introducing air into said unit; and    an air egress which allows said air to be removed from said unit.    
   
   
       12 . The unit of  claim 11  wherein said egress comprises an exhaust blower for the purpose of forcibly removing said air from said unit.  
   
   
       13 . The unit of  claim 12  wherein said first induction blower is located above said substrate in said first zone and said exhaust blower is positioned below said substrate in said unit so that a flow of air occurs from top to bottom.  
   
   
       14 . The unit of  claim 13  comprising: 
 a second infrared lamp located in a second zone;    a second infrared detection device aimed at said substrate when said substrate is in said second zone, said first second infrared detection device adapted to receive infrared light from said substrate to make a second temperature reading; and    said temperature control system adapted to compare said second temperature reading to a second temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to increase the intensity of said second infrared lamp if said second temperature reading is lower than said second temperature setting, said temperature control system further adapted to decrease the intensity of said second infrared lamp if said second temperature reading is higher than said second temperature setting; and    a second induction blower located above said substrate in said second zone of said unit.    
   
   
       15 . The unit of  claim 14  wherein said substrate passes underneath said: (i) first blower, (ii) first sensor, (iii) second blower, and (iv) second sensor in succession.  
   
   
       16 . A device for treating matter on a substrate with electromagnetic waves, said device comprising: 
 a conveyance arrangement for supporting the substrate through a chamber in said device;    an electromagnetic wave emitter for exposing said matter on said substrate with electromagnetic waves; and    an air circulation system for exposing said substrate to fresh air and then exhausting said air.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein said air circulation system comprises an induction blower and an exhaust blower.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein said induction blower is located above said chamber and said exhaust blower is located below said chamber to create a top-to-bottom flow direction in said chamber.  
   
   
       19 . A method of treating a substance on a substrate, said method comprising: 
 exposing said substance to an intensity of infrared electromagnetic energy to heat said substance;    exposing said substance to fresh air by flowing said fresh air across said substrate; and    exhausting said air.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising: 
 remotely reading a surface temperature on a portion of said substrate by detecting the infrared energy emitted by that portion of said substrate;    comparing said read temperature with a temperature setting;    increasing said intensity if said read temperature is below said temperature setting; and    decreasing said intensity if said read temperature is above said temperature setting.